06 November 2014
International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism
Statement from the Methodist Presidency on the International Day
Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism (November 9th)
The Revd Ken Howcroft, President of the Methodist Conference, and
Ms Gill Dascombe, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference,
said:
"With our thoughts on Remembrance Sunday this weekend, let us
redouble our efforts to preach peace and counter violence and
hatred wherever we encounter them. We stand with victims of
violence of all faiths and none. This year Remembrance Sunday
coincides with the anniversary of the Kristallnacht atrocities
against Jews in Nazi Germany and Austria on 9-10 November 1938. We
therefore deplore and condemn all manifestations of anti-Semitism
and anti-Judaism, all outbreaks of hatred and persecution. The
recent rise in anti-Semitic attacks, for example, is unacceptable
to us as Christians. Anti-Semitism, along with other forms of
religious hatred, is a denial of the Christian Gospel.
"It is therefore important that we as Christians recall and repent
the Church's past failures to condemn anti-Semitism whenever and
wherever it has erupted across the world over the centuries. We
stand with Jews on November 9th - the International Day Against
Fascism and Anti-Semitism. And in standing with them, we also stand
with others - lest we forget."